Itsaknockout Tied to Mayweather-Pacquiao

4/27/2015

10:48 pm EDT

The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight promoters have signed an exclusive sponsorship deal with Starlight Racing’s Itsaknockout to tout the bout set on Kentucky Derby day just a few hours after the Run for the Roses.

Eleven-time world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather and eight-division world champion Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao will meet in a welterweight world championship bout that is expected to set new revenue records in virtually every category.

The deal to sponsor Itsaknockout was brought about by Steve Rosner of 16W Marketing. It's part of an aggressive campaign for the title fight that includes support from PPV distributors, a national ad campaign and support from the television networks, promoters and the MGM Grand.

Team Itsaknockout is showing its support of the fight during Derby Week with the Thoroughbred wearing a “MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO” branded blanket, branding on Jockey Luis Saez and branded apparel on Pletcher’s racing crew tending to the Fountain of Youth Stakes winner.

"The opportunity to sponsor a horse running in the Kentucky Derby appropriately named ItsaKnockout is a fantastic fit for the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight and the magnitude of the promotion on all levels," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO Mayweather Promotions. "It's going to be a knockout of a sports weekend with both events the same day, and we wish this champion horse well, hoping his name comes true with a victory in the Derby."

One of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport, the undefeated Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) is an 11-time world champion in five weight divisions and is universally recognized as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. A four-time Fighter of the Year, Mayweather has defeated 20 world champions.

Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) is the only fighter to win eight world titles in as many different weight divisions. A three-time Fighter of the Year and the Boxing Writers Association of America's Fighter of the Decade, Pacquiao is seeking to defeat his third consecutive unbeaten world champion. His last 15 fights have been against world champs.